IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[Shayuri]

A fleeting embarrassed look crosses Kuma's face.

"I meant no disrespect to your former companion," he explains, speaking more slowly now. "Sometimes I speak before thinking things through. It is common...among my people...for a new hunter or warrior to boast of his strengths. The rumors...well, I should know better than to trust ill-tempered whispers in bar room corners. My friends, I apologize. I shall buy a round of drinks, and we will toast his memory!"

He then goes on, "As for me...I am Kuma, of the Blood of Artok, on my naming quest from my home far to the north. Through spoils of battle, and great deeds done, I will prove myself worthy of the blood of chieftains and one day claim the honor that is mine. I offer my sword and my skill at arms to your group, for it would be madness for us to have the same destination, yet travel separately. What say you? What say you all?"

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund nods "I can accept that, long time friends dying makes me a bit touchy as well I suppose" Heirmund looks towards Jair "His reasoning is sound enough though he may be somewhat lacking in tact"

Heirmund looks a bit embarassed for a moment then says "I'm sorry where are my manners?, I am Heirmund a wizard of modest talent. On my shoulder here is Ivan" at this Ivan cocks his head to one said and says "Hello"

 

[IndyPendant]

You spend the evening reminiscing about Dengar, and getting to know your new companion. The next morning, you are again ready to head out to the Citadel to complete your mission. Lehko feels...a bit off during the trip there--as if he were coming down with a fever--but by the time he reaches the rift, he shakes off whatever it was affecting him, and seems fine.

((I'll need to know Heirmund's prep'd spells, if he changes them.))

The half-day's trip passes uneventfully, and you arrive at the top of the rift once more, to find that nothing has changed in the two days you have been gone. The knotted rope still dangles down to the ledge, and scavengers work at the two large rat corpses below. The rift seems almost like a vast, dark, gaping maw. Come inside, it seems to invite. I have already feasted on one of you, and now I shall devour the rest of you as well. A chill runs down your spine when you realize, watching each other's reactions, that every one of you seems to have had the same thought...

 

[Shayuri]

Upon reaching the edge of the great tear in the earth, Kuma stares down into the inky gloom and says in what is for him a ghostly mutter, though his voice carries easily to everyone's ears even so.

"So it's true then. This is where the flame fell. This is where my path begins."

The pensive moment passes as quickly as it arrived, and he shot a confident grin at the others.

"I will go first, and make sure the way is clear to the bottom."

With that, Kuma grabs the rope firmly in both hands, and begins rapelling skillfully down into the darkness below.

(Note - taking 10 on Climb for check result of 15)

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund nods and waits for Kuma to get to the bottom. Once Kuma is at the bottom Heirmund says "Alright Jair, Terrek can go down by spell again and we can save the harness for when we have to come back up"

((OOC: 0th level spells: Acid splashx2, Detect magic x2
1st level spells: Color spray, Charm person, Feather fall))

 

[IndyPendant]

With your newfound companion Kuma leading the way, you climb down to the ledge. Terrek floats down slowly again, once more howling his horrified misery the entire way down. You reach the ledge without mishap, and soon stand together, ready to descend the narrow stairs. Lehko lights one of the group's lanterns, providing much better illumination than your makeshift torches did, and you begin your careful descent.

The stairs seem of sturdy, solid stone, although covered with a coating of loose rubble. Very shortly, at the edge of sight, the top of a fortress emerges from the darkness. The subterranean citadel, though impressive, seems long forgotten--if the lightless windows, cracked crenellations, and leaning towers are any indication. All is quiet, though a cold breeze blows up from below, bringing with it the scent of dust and a faint trace of rot.

Your best estimate puts you at a hundred feet down from the top of the ridge, far above you, when the narrow stairs empty into a small courtyard, apparently the top of what was once a crenellated battlement. The buried citadel has sunk so far into the earth that the battlement is now level with the surrounding cavern floor. The floor of the cavern stretches away to the north and south from the small courtyard at the base of the stairs, and it is apparently composed of a layer of treacherous, crumbled masonry. To the west looms the surviving structure of what must be the Sunless Citadel, the only entrance you can see being a tower that stands on the west side of the courtyard, with a closed door facing you.

 

[JimAde]

Jerek looks over the cavern and the crumbling citadel. With a brisk shake of his head he tries to rid himself of the creeping sense of dread that has been growing since they started the descent. "I'll go have a look at the door," he says quietly, and moves off to do that.

[Checking the door to see if it's locked and to check for traps. Search +6 ]

 

[Voadam]

[just wanted to get this bit of flavor in for back in the bar] "Kuma, I accept. I accept your apology, your sword, and your offer of a drink. Welcome to our band." and his grin and good nature were back and Jair gives grandiose flattering introductions for everybody in the group who hasn't spoken up yet.

. . .

Down in the citadel

Jair offers the clothing scraps for Terrek to sniff so we can track where the youths went. [This is full round actions that can be repeated to push the wolfhound to track by scent]

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund stays close to Jair and watchs his faithful wolfhound with great interest.

 

[jayaint]

Ydyr shivers and looks around at his companions.

Something of ill resides here, I can feel it in my bones. I'm glad to have a rested and properly prepared group with me.

Ydyr waits for the group to move along deeper into the Citadel.